Lu Dort became the biggest name in the NBA space recently after he instigated a scuffle between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. He was called for a flagrant 2 against Nikola Jokic, which left the three-time MVP incensed.
As Dort’s head coach, Mark Daigneault came to his defense. That has not changed since the immediate aftermath of the Thunder vs Nuggets game. Ahead of OKC’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, Daigneault continued to defend his go-to lockdown defender.
Daigneault keeps standing with Lu Dort amid flagrant foul controversy
Like any coach, Daigneault is supporting his player amidst all the controversies. Most people in the NBA know that Dort is a fantastic defender, but they do find it unnecessary that he is being too physical against certain players.
Jokic has always been the recipient of physicality as the league’s best center. However, what happened between Dort and Jokic was uncalled for because it was not a basketball play. Of course, the Thunder did not see it that way, which is why Daigneault keeps standing with his player.
Daigneault and the Thunder will continue to have great chances of winning the championship. They are the favorites alongside their Eastern Conference counterparts, the Detroit Pistons.
A big reason behind their success is their defense, and Dort is their top option at the perimeter. Since that is the case, Daigneault is always at his player’s side, but he remains respectful of the Nuggets.
“I have nothing but respect; we have nothing but respect for Denver. We have respect top to bottom. We certainly have respect for Jokic, Gordon, Murray just because those guys have endured together for so long, and had so much success, but we have respect for their staff,” Daigneault said ahead of the game against Dallas.
Most fans would probably dislike what he said, but he will always defend his player. Moving forward, the Thunder would probably be better off if they avoid controversies, but that is the nature of the NBA.